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Top 50 nursing schools in Ohio

For our 2018 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on over 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:

The institution’s academic prestige and perceived value

The breadth and depth of nursing programs offered

Student success, particularly on the NCLEX national licensure exam

We then combined these assessments into an overall score and ranked the schools accordingly. For a detailed description of our assessment methodology and dimension weights, please see here.

#1: Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OHThe Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University prides itself on innovation. The school was among the first in the country to offer several nursing programs, including acute care nurse practitioner, gerontological nursing, and doctor of nursing practice. It is also one of few private research universities to offer both a traditional four-year BSN degree and a direct-entry MSN pathway. BSN graduates have earned as high as a 95% pass rate in recent years. Case Western students benefit from their proximity to University Circle, a 550-acre scientific hub with numerous premier healthcare organizations. The school also has seven centers of excellence for nursing opportunities and experiences.

#2: Ohio State University | Columbus, OHDesignated a Center of Excellence (COE) by the National League for Nursing (NLN), Ohio State’s College of Nursing has educated over 12,000 nurses since its inception. The college places a strong emphasis on research and patient-centered practice across its various program offerings. Ohio State’s online MSN program consistently ranks among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Several of its offline programs have garnered top-30 rankings, including the traditional MSN, nursing-midwifery MSN, and doctor of nursing practice (DNP). The school graduates 200-230 students annually from its four-year BSN program, with an excellent first-time NCLEX pass rate of 94% since 2009.

#3: Mount Carmel College of Nursing | Columbus, OHMount Carmel College of Nursing enrolls over 1,000 students and conducts one of the largest baccalaureate nursing programs in the state, with 200+ annual BSN graduates. Since 2009, these students have passed the NCLEX exam at an 88% rate on their first effort. The college also offers an MSN program with four specialty tracks and a DNP program. Mount Carmel fosters ethnic diversity in its student body and emphasizes small class sizes and personal faculty attention. Students have easy access to hands-on learning at Mount Carmel West Hospital, located right on campus.

#4: Xavier University | Cincinnati, OHThe nursing program at Xavier University is one of just a handful of programs in the nation endorsed by the American Holistic Nursing Association. Students learn from faculty with a diverse range of specialties including epidemiology, natural health, gerontology, and occupational health. With an emphasis on improving medical care for the Hispanic community, Xavier’s nursing department has also created an exclusive program that specializes in educating nurses fluent in Spanish. Graduates of all programs perform well on their licensure exams: BSN students passed the NCLEX exam at an 88% rate as recently as 2015, and the direct-entry MSN program posted a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2017.

#5: Walsh University | North Canton, OHThe Gary and Linda Byers School of Nursing at Walsh University offers global learning experiences in countries like Haiti, Tanzania, and Italy; close proximity to top local hospitals like Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and Mercy Medical Center; and state-of-the art laboratory facilities. The university graduates 60-90 students annually from its traditional prelicensure and accelerated second degree BSN programs. These students have scored an impressive 93% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. In fact, the most recent graduating cohort passed the exam at a 97% rate. Walsh University also offers an MSN degree with three specialties (acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse educator) and a DNP program that is offered entirely online.

#6: Ashland University | Mansfield, OHThe Dwight Schar College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Ashland University has nearly a dozen nursing program offerings. Undergraduates may choose from four BSN tracks including traditional, advanced entry, accelerated second degree, and online RN-to-BSN. Over the past decade, prelicensure BSN students have achieved a noteworthy 88% pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam. At the graduate level, Ashland offers both BSN and MS/MSN entry points for its DNP program. Students entering post-BSN may specialize in family nurse practitioner or health systems leadership, while those entering post-MS/MSN may specialize in advanced practice nursing or health systems leadership. The college also offers certificates for aspiring school nurses and nurse educators. All graduate programs are offered online.

#7: Ursuline College | Pepper Pike, OHUrsuline was the first women’s college in Ohio and one of the first women’s colleges in the country. Its Breen School of Nursing maintains this tradition, educating female nurses in the following programs: traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, traditional MSN, RN-to-MSN, and DNP. The school provides five distinct MSN tracks: adult nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, palliative care, adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, and nursing education. Approximately 75-100 students graduate annually from the four-year BSN program, and they have maintained a solid NCLEX exam pass rate of 87% since 2009.

#8: Mount St. Joseph University | Cincinnati, OHThe Department of Nursing at Mount St. Joseph University has 80+ years of experience educating nurses. The department offers several undergraduate and graduate options, including their MAGELIN (Master’s Graduate Entry-Level into Nursing) program for second-degree students. Introduced in 2004, the program has maintained a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 88% since 2011. The school’s prelicensure BSN students also perform well on their exams: since 2009, they have passed the NCLEX at an 88% rate on their first attempt. Mount St. Joseph also offers traditional MSN and DNP programs for existing registered nurses.

#9: Otterbein University | Westerville, OHOtterbein University has a proud heritage of equality and inclusion, including its status as the first college in the nation to include women as both faculty members and students. The Department of Nursing’s flagship BSN program prepares students for careers in acute care, primary care, extended care, mental health, and community health settings. Coursework covers critical topics like pharmacology, nursing research, and informatics. The BSN program graduates 40-60 students annually, with an impressive 91% NCLEX pass rate since 2015. Otterbein also offers graduate nursing programs that award the MSN and/or DNP degree. Concentrations are available for aspiring family nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.

#10: Franciscan University of Steubenville | Steubenville, OHFranciscan University’s nursing program draws on its Christian values, providing education geared towards holistic health-oriented care. The program offers a traditional BSN for undergraduate students, an RN-to-BSN articulation option for registered nurses, and an MSN program with a family nurse practitioner specialization. Franciscan University’s small BSN graduating class, typically 50-60 students annually, has passed the NCLEX exam at a 90% rate since 2009. Students have access to a well-equipped Nursing Simulation Laboratory that incorporates the latest Laerdal human patient simulator technology.

#11: Wright State University | Dayton, OHThe Wright State University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health enrolls almost 700 undergraduate and 220 graduate nursing students. Classes in a range of nursing disciplines and specializations are led by 45 experienced faculty. The college graduates a large BSN class of 150-200 students each year, who have passed the NCLEX exam at rates as high as 93% in recent years. A multi-year strategic initiative called the Wright Nurse Project helps the college improve its curriculum towards more evidence-based pedagogy. Students have several opportunities for international immersion, including a study abroad program in the United Kingdom and global health initiatives in Tanzania.

#12: Ohio Northern University | Ada, OHThe nursing department at Ohio Northern University offers both prelicensure BSN and RN-to-BSN programs. Students begin their clinical experiences during sophomore year and benefit from an 8:1 student-to-faculty clinical ratio. The university graduates 20-25 prelicensure BSN candidates each year. These students have performed exceptionally well on the NCLEX exam, with a cumulative pass rate of 95% since 2009. ONU students utilize state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and experience a diverse range of healthcare settings. Over the past five years, greater than 90% of nursing majors were either gainfully employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.

#13: Malone University | Canton, OHMalone University’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences has educated nursing students for over twenty years. The school incorporates evidence-based practice, cultural competence, and simulation training into three nursing programs: a four-year BSN, an RN-to-BSN degree completion program, and an MSN degree with FNP and AGACNP specialty tracks. Faculty members provide students with one-on-one support through both the Center for Clinical Learning and the Center for Study and Testing. Malone’s four-year BSN program graduates 30-60 new nurses annually, and these students have passed the NCLEX licensure exam at rates as high as 97% in recent years.

#14: Capital University | Columbus, OHCapital University offers nursing programs for those new to the field and for those seeking an advanced degree. The university has traditional and accelerated BSN programs, an MSN degree with several pathways and specializations, and post-master’s certificates for aspiring nurse educators and adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialists. The traditional BSN is for students with no previous nursing education, while the accelerated pathway is for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Capital graduates 70-100 students annually across both programs, with a solid 85% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The MSN program has both standalone and joint degree (MSN/MBA or MSN/JD) options with five possible concentrations: administration, adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, legal studies, nursing education, and theological studies.

#15: Kent State University | Kent, OHIn its mission to address the healthcare needs of Ohioans, Kent State University offers nursing programs at several sites in Northeast Ohio. The ADN program graduates 200-250 new nurses annually at regional campuses in Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, and Tuscarawas. The prelicensure BSN program graduates another 400-500 students per year at the main campus in Kent and regional campuses in Geauga, Salem, Stark, and Trumbull. Kent State students consistently perform well on the NCLEX licensure exam, scoring an 86% ADN pass rate and an 88% BSN pass rate over the past decade. Graduate nursing students can select from four online tracks and five hybrid (mix of in-person and online) tracks in the MSN program. Kent State also offers a joint MSN/MBA degree and both types of doctoral nursing degrees. The university boasts clinical experiences with more than 350 partners and a 99.6% job placement rate within six months of graduation.

#16: Baldwin Wallace University | Berea, OHThe School of Health Sciences at Baldwin Wallace University offers an accelerated BSN program that allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field to earn the BSN in just 15 months. The intensive program combines rigorous classwork and lab work with extensive clinical experiences that start in the first semester. All nursing students complete a clinical rotation at Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. Since the program’s launch, BW has graduated 20-40 BSN students annually, with an exceptional 95% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination.

#17: University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OHThe College of Nursing at the University of Cincinnati offers nursing programs from the undergraduate to the professional level. There are two pathways to the BSN: a traditional prelicensure program and an online RN-to-BSN completion program. The prelicensure program generates 200-250 new nurses annually, and these graduates have maintained an 83% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. At the graduate level, UC offers two entry points for the MSN degree (traditional post-BSN, accelerated direct-entry) and a breadth of specialization options, including nurse midwifery and five NP tracks. The university also offers both DNP and nursing PhD programs. DNP students may complete four additional online courses (12 credit hours) to earn a nurse education certificate.

#18: Cedarville University | Cedarville, OHThe School of Nursing at Cedarville University has a number of unique programs. For undergraduates, Cedarville offers both traditional and three-year BSN programs, as well as a cross-cultural nursing minor. The minor prepares students to work with cross-cultural populations on missions either in the U.S. or abroad. Cedarville graduates almost 100 BSN students annually, with a solid 88% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Graduate options include an MSN degree with three tracks (family nurse practitioner, global public health nursing, nurse educator) and standalone certificate programs in the final two tracks.

#19: University of Mount Union | Alliance, OHThe University of Mount Union has two pathways to a BSN degree: the direct-entry program and the accelerated second degree program. The direct-entry option is a 128-credit-hour, four-year program that allows the student to be directly admitted into the program as a freshman with no waiting lists. Students are immediately introduced to nursing coursework, and they receive hands-on clinical training in the school’s newly built nursing facilities, including a simulation intensive care unit. The accelerated program is customized for adult learners with a bachelor’s degree in another field, and the program can be completed in as little as 15 months. Since the BSN program’s recent launch, graduates have scored a perfect 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.

#20: Mercy College of Ohio | Toledo, OHMercy College of Ohio offers several programs for aspiring nurses including prelicensure ADN and BSN programs, an online RN-to-BSN pathway, and an online MSN degree. The ADN program graduates 120-150 students annually across both a daytime and an evening / weekend offering. These students have scored an impressive 90% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The prelicensure BSN program graduates another 75-100 students per year, with a strong 86% NCLEX pass rate over the same time period. Mercy College offers its online MSN degree through a 36-credit-hour program that can be completed in six semesters.

#21: Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | Cincinnati, OHGood Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science is a subsidiary of Good Samaritan Hospital, a partner of the TriHealth integrated healthcare system. The college serves the tri-state region of Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana. GSC offers an ADN program with both traditional entry and LPN advanced placement, as well as an RN-to-BSN program. The ADN curriculum provides a background in the principles of nursing; the biological, physical, and behavioral sciences; and the liberal arts. Good Samaritan College produces approximately 100 ADN graduates each year, with a strong 87% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX exam since 2012. Students who complete the ADN may then matriculate into the BSN program on either a full-time or part-time basis.

#22: Wittenberg University | Springfield, OHWittenberg University is a top-ranked liberal arts college situated on a sprawling 114-acre wooded campus. The university offers two pathways to a BSN degree: a traditional four-year program and an RN-to-BSN bridge program. Admission to the traditional BSN program is competitive and currently limited to just 35 students. The curriculum requires 120-130 credit hours of both general education and nursing coursework. The RN-to-BSN completion program consists of 22 semester hours in nursing courses. Sample topics include Health Assessment, Cultural Competence in Health Care, Evolving Concepts in Leadership & Management, and Research & Evidence-Based Practice.

#23: Ohio University | Athens, OHThe BSN at Ohio University is one of the fastest-growing programs in the school’s College of Health Sciences and Professions. It is the only CCNE-accredited four-year program in southeast Ohio, serving the university’s mission to upgrade Appalachian Ohio health services. Ohio University conducts both the BSN program and a two-year ADN program at its satellite campuses in Chillicothe, Southern (Ironton), and Zanesville. The BSN program is also offered at the main campus in Athens. At the graduate level, Ohio University has an online MSN degree with family nurse practitioner and nurse educator tracks, as well as a DNP program with advanced clinical and executive practice tracks.

#24: University of Findlay | Findlay, OHThe University of Findlay has gained a national reputation for excellence in its science, health professions, animal science, and equestrian studies programs. The school recently launched a traditional BSN program that emphasizes critical thinking, ethics, diversity, health and human functioning, professional leadership, and emerging trends in healthcare. Students gain hands-on experience in Findlay’s nursing care skills lab and through clinical practice at local healthcare centers. Coursework covers important concepts like community health nursing, psychology, human anatomy, intercultural care, and maternal-child nursing. Exceptional high school students may be admitted directly into the program during their senior year.

#25: Kettering College | Kettering, OHFor more than thirty years, the Division of Nursing at Kettering College has prepared men and women for nursing careers. Focused solely on undergraduate education, the division offers three BSN programs: a three-year prelicensure track, a three-year bridge for licensed practical nurses, and a full- or part-time degree completion program for registered nurses. The school’s 2016 graduates passed the NCLEX licensure exam at a 91% rate, several points above the statewide average. The Division of Nursing faculty is focused on educating highly skilled and caring healthcare professionals in a Christian environment.

#26: University of Toledo | Toledo, OHThe UT College of Nursing has a unique partnership with ProMedica. Collectively, the two institutions develop innovative educational programs, offer diverse clinical experiences, provide opportunities for interprofessional research collaboration, and build high-quality professional development programs. The College of Nursing offers a traditional BSN degree through a consortium with Bowling Green State University. UT graduates 150-200 students from this program annually, with a solid 84% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The college also offers a graduate-entry clinical nurse leader program with just 30 students per cohort. These individuals have scored an 86% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. UT’s MSN and DNP programs both offer four distinct nurse practitioner specializations.

#27: Chamberlain College of Nursing | Cleveland & Columbus, OHChamberlain College of Nursing’s Cleveland and Columbus campuses offer a BSN program that can be completed in as little as three years of year-round study, instead of the typical four years with summers off. There are no prerequisites and no wait lists. Chamberlain BSN students receive hands-on experience in Chamberlain’s SIMCARE CENTER and onsite clinical settings, allowing them to work side-by-side with faculty, peers, mentors, and experienced professionals as they refine their nursing skills. Graduates from both campuses have performed well on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Since 2010, Columbus graduates have achieved an 87% NCLEX pass rate, while their counterparts in Cleveland have averaged an 80% NCLEX pass rate since that program’s recent launch.

#28: University of Akron | Akron, OHThe University of Akron School of Nursing has been educating Northeast Ohio nurses for more than fifty years. Undergraduate students can pursue four distinct pathways to a BSN degree: traditional prelicensure, accelerated second degree, LPN-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN. The LPN-to-BSN bridge program can be completed in as little as 2.5 years, while the RN-to-BSN bridge program can be completed in just one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. The University of Akron graduates approximately 200 prelicensure BSN candidates annually, with a solid 89% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Graduate programs include an MSN degree with five NP tracks and a nurse anesthesia option, as well as a hybrid post-master’s DNP program that takes just two years to complete.

#29: Portage Lakes Career Center | Uniontown, OHThe W. Howard Nicol School of Practical Nursing offers an 11-month LPN certificate program. Classes are small, with a strict limit of fifty students; many recent cohorts have had just 15-25 enrollees. As a result, students enjoy personalized instruction and access to clinical experiences at a variety of local healthcare facilities. The school has posted a solid 84% NCLEX-PN pass rate over the last decade. Retention and employment rates have been stellar as well, with the most recent graduating class achieving an 88% on-time completion rate and an 88% job placement rate. Graduates have the option to transfer 30 technical credits towards an associate of technical studies (ATS) degree at the University of Akron.

#30: Hondros College of Nursing | Westerville, OHHondros College of Nursing offers three sequential nursing programs at its five convenient Ohio campus locations. The LPN diploma program features clinical experience in the second quarter of study, nursing simulation practice with interactive manikins, and IV therapy training. The college graduates 500-600 LPN students annually, with a solid 85% NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past decade. The 15-month ADN program grants admission to licensed practical nurses and other healthcare professionals. Hondros graduates 300 ADN students annually, with an NCLEX-RN pass rate of approximately 75% over the past decade. The college’s RN-to-BSN program is delivered almost exclusively online to provide convenience for working professionals. Students can graduate in just 24 months of study.

#31: Columbus School of Practical Nursing | Columbus, OHFor over sixty years, Columbus School of Practical Nursing has provided cost-effective vocational training to the Columbus community. The school offers a 12-month, three-trimester LPN certificate program, with new classes starting at the end of each January, May, and September. This flexible scheduling allows the program to educate 50-100 new LPNs each year. Graduates have scored a 90% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN national licensure exam since 2010, higher than the Ohio and national averages. They have also secured employment in the field, with a 70% job placement rate within six months of program completion. Many students use the LPN role as a stepping stone to subsequent education, licensure, and employment as a registered nurse.

#32: Cleveland State University | Cleveland, OHThe School of Nursing at Cleveland State University offers a traditional BSN for students new to nursing and an accelerated BSN for those with a bachelor’s degree in another field. The university graduates 130-140 students annually across these two pathways, achieving a solid 88% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. At the undergraduate level, CSU also offers an RN-to-BSN option for licensed RNs and a streamlined BSN pathway in collaboration with Cuyahoga Community College. Post-baccalaureate offerings include an MSN degree and various continuing education programs for working nursing and healthcare professions. CSU students enjoy clinical placements with university partners like MetroHealth and the Cleveland Clinic.

#33: Mount Vernon Nazarene University | Mount Vernon, OHMount Vernon Nazarene University’s BSN program prepares students for a successful nursing career through rigorous classroom instruction and clinical practice opportunities in a variety of healthcare organizations. Coursework covers critical topics like adult medical-surgical nursing, leadership and management in nursing, and population health nursing. MVNU nursing students can take advantage of travel opportunities to places like Belize, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Israel, and Swaziland. The BSN program graduates a select cohort of 20-30 students annually. Since the program’s launch, these students have scored an 82% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

#34: Lourdes University | Sylvania, OHThe College of Nursing at Lourdes University has four undergraduate tracks: traditional and direct-entry prelicensure BSN programs, and LPN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN bridge programs. The direct-entry BSN is for exceptional high school students with a 3.0 GPA and at least a 22 on the ACT or an 1120 on the SAT. Approximately 70-100 prelicensure students graduate from the BSN programs each spring, and these individuals have achieved an 87% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. At the graduate level, Lourdes University offers an MSN program with nurse anesthesia, nurse educator, and nurse leader tracks. The university also recently launched an online post-master’s DNP in Leadership for Population Health.

#35: Trinity Health System School of Nursing | Steubenville, OHTrinity Health System School of Nursing was founded in 1912 as the Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing. Over the ensuing century, more than 2,000 nurses have earned the school’s distinctive pin. Trinity offers a hospital-based diploma program with a robust 24-month curriculum, including two summer sessions. Clinical experience is offered at Trinity Medical Centers East and West, encompassing a broad range of outpatient and inpatient care. All non-nursing instruction is led by Eastern Gateway Community College, ensuring that Trinity students receive full college credit. The School of Nursing has posted a superb 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate since 2009. Job placement has been equally impressive: greater than 95% of graduates have gained employment in the field within one year.

#36: Defiance College | Defiance, OHDefiance College has two tracks leading to the BSN degree: an RN-to-BSN completion program, and an innovative 1+2+1 partnership with Northwest State Community College. Students in the 1+2+1 program spend their first year at Defiance College. During this year, they complete pre-professional and liberal arts requirements, and they take the NSCC nursing pre-admission exam. Once admitted to Northwest State, students spend the next two years enrolled in the ADN program. Upon successful completion of the ADN degree and passing of the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, students return to Defiance College and take advanced nursing courses to complete the BSN degree. Coursework for the final year may be taken online.

#37: Muskingum University | New Concord, OHFor the past three years, graduates of Muskingum University’s traditional BSN program have achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. They have also enjoyed an impressive 100% employment rate after graduation. Muskingum’s BSN program offers small class sizes that foster individual attention from experienced faculty members. Students take clinical practicums in a variety of healthcare settings, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of Ohio’s premier medical facilities for children. In addition to the traditional BSN, Muskingum also offers an online RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in as little as one year, with flexible course scheduling to meet the needs of working nurses. RN-to-BSN students can earn elective credit for work experience, continuing education, and nationally recognized credentialing to be used toward program completion.

#38: Ohio Valley College of Technology | East Liverpool, OHOhio Valley College of Technology trains hundreds of future healthcare professionals each year, with a breadth of program offerings that includes dental assisting, medical assisting, medical office administration, and registered nursing. The school’s ADN program provides direct admittance and requires only 24 months of fulltime study to complete. Students review critical topics like health promotion and maintenance, nursing roles, nursing values, and therapeutic communication. Each spring, a select class of approximately 20-30 aspiring nurses graduates from the ADN program. These students have scored an impressive 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate as recently as 2015.

#39: Hiram College | Hiram, OHHiram College offers a direct-entry BSN program with small class sizes, state-of-the art facilities, and access to world-renowned clinical sites like Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital System. At these clinical sites, nursing students gain experience in a range of specialties including adult health, community health, critical care, gerontology, newborn health, pediatrics, and psychiatric mental health. Students in the program have the opportunity to minor in fields such as biomedical humanities, Spanish, and psychology. Because this is a direct-entry program, no separate application is required. Graduates have performed well on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination, including a 90% pass rate since 2016.

#40: Notre Dame College | Cleveland, OHFounded as a four-year liberal arts college for women, Notre Dame is now a fully coeducational institution where career-focused, experiential learning complements the college’s liberal arts foundation. The Division of Nursing offers traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN programs. The traditional BSN program is taught in small cohorts of 20-30 students, with an 8-10:1 student-to-faculty ratio during laboratory sessions and a 4-8:1 student-to-faculty ratio during clinicals. Experiential learning includes annual international immersion trips and clinical experiences in acute care institutions, community agencies, home health settings, and school environments. BSN graduates have averaged an 83% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam since 2010. Notre Dame’s MSN program is a 39-credit-hour curriculum that includes 120 hours in a clinical practicum and a final capstone project.

#41: Bowling Green State University | Toledo, OHBowling Green State University has three pathways for students seeking a BSN degree: the BGSU / University of Toledo Nursing Consortium Program, the BGSU / Mercy College of Ohio Dual Degree (“BG EDGE”) Program, and an RN-to-BSN completion program. Pre-nursing classes for Consortium students are held on the BGSU campus, while nursing classes are held on the UT campus. Students in this program will earn the BSN degree from BGSU. BG EDGE students transfer to Mercy College in their junior year to complete the nursing degree. After completion of the program, the students’ credits are then transferred back to BGSU, allowing them to earn both a BSN degree from Mercy College and a BS in applied health sciences from BGSU. Students in both of these programs have fared well on their licensure exams, scoring an average 83% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.

#42: Miami University | Hamilton, OHThe Department of Nursing at Miami University provides two options for obtaining a BSN degree: a prelicensure full-time four-year curriculum and a fully online curriculum for RNs with an associate’s degree or nursing diploma. The BSN program prepares nurses for leadership and management roles, including research associate and occupational health nurse. Coursework explores the nursing process for health promotion, prevention, restoration, and maintenance with clients, families, and groups in community health settings. Students in the prelicensure curriculum begin clinical experiences during their sophomore year. These students have averaged approximately an 80% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam since the program’s inception.

#43: Professional Skills Institute | Maumee, OHProfessional Skills Institute offers an LPN program that takes 72 weeks to complete. Divided into six 12-week quarters, this diploma program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Coursework covers a breadth of introductory healthcare topics like nutrition, electronic charting, gerontological nursing, maternal / infant nursing, and medication administration. Graduates of the program enjoy strong job placement rates with local hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes. PSI graduates 60-100 new practical nurses each year, and these students have achieved a phenomenal 95% NCLEX pass rate over the last decade.

#44: Franklin University | Columbus, OHFranklin University offers a transfer-friendly RN-to-BSN program designed for nurses with an associate’s degree or nursing diploma. This accelerated program consists of nine six-week modules that are delivered online in a media-rich and hands-on manner. Courses cover critical topics like nursing leadership and management, clinical competence, personalized medicine, evidence-based practice, community and population health, health informatics, and healthcare law and ethics. Students take 24 hours of core courses, 12 hours of general education requirements, 26 hours of university electives, 24 technical credit hours, and 34 hours in the major.

#45: Rhodes State College | Lima, OHRhodes State College enrolls more than 4,000 students across a breadth of career education programs. For aspiring nurses, the college offers both an LPN certificate program and two ADN pathways (traditional, LPN-to-RN). The one-year LPN curriculum prepares students to provide basic nursing care under the supervision of RNs and other healthcare professionals. Rhodes State graduates 25-40 LPN students annually, with a noteworthy 88% NCLEX-PN pass rate over the last decade. The ADN curriculum prepares students for entry-level RN positions, and it awards advanced standing to licensed LPNs. Rhodes State graduates 120-180 ADN students annually, with a solid 82% NCLEX-RN pass rate over the last decade.

#46: Lorain County Community College | Elyria, OHLorain County Community College has a brief state-tested nurse aid (STNA) certificate of completion program for aspiring CNAs. Graduates of the STNA program often subsequently enroll in the college’s core LPN and ADN programs. The ADN program features tailored entry points for LPNs, paramedics, and students new to healthcare. Credits are designed to transfer seamlessly to university partners, including the Ohio University BSN, the Western Governors University BSN, and the Youngstown State University bachelor of science in allied health. LCCC graduates have consistently passed the NCLEX licensure exam at strong rates. Over the past decade, LPN students achieved an outstanding 92% NCLEX-PN pass rate, while their ADN counterparts achieved an 86% NCLEX-RN pass rate.

#47: University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College | Blue Ash, OHUC Blue Ash is a regional college within the University of Cincinnati that offers local access to almost fifty degree and certificate programs. The college’s Department of Nursing has two associate’s degree pathways: a traditional ADN and an LPN-to-RN bridge. The two-year ADN program prepares students for entry-level nursing positions and for entry into the RN-to-BSN program at UC College of Nursing. Courses in the LPN-to-RN bridge are offered in a hybrid format which combines online learning with face-to-face classroom delivery. The LPN-to-RN pathway is a selective admissions program that is offered each summer, as long as minimum enrollment numbers are achieved.

#48: Fortis College | Four Ohio campusesFortis operates more than forty campuses across the country. The college is known for accelerated programs with no wait list, enabling students to graduate and enter the workforce rapidly. Fortis College offers both an LPN diploma and an ADN degree at each of its four Ohio campuses. These nursing programs feature a hybrid curriculum delivered primarily on campus, with several online courses to enhance student flexibility and convenience. Students at all campuses have performed well on the NCLEX licensure exam, with the Centerville and Cuyahoga Falls campuses leading the pack. Centerville students have earned a 90% NCLEX-PN pass rate and an 80% NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past decade, while Cuyahoga Falls students have earned a 92% NCLEX-PN pass rate and an 83% NCLEX-RN pass rate. Graduates also enjoy strong job placement rates, thanks in part to the on-site career services center that Fortis College maintains at all of its campuses.

#49: Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OHThe Department of Nursing at Youngstown State University offers BSN and MSN degree programs. The BSN has two pathways: entry-level prelicensure and online RN-to-BSN. The entry-level pathway is a four-year program for new or transfer students entering YSU without a previous degree or diploma in nursing. The university graduates 70-100 students annually from this entry-level program, with a solid 88% NCLEX pass rate over the last decade. The RN-to-BSN pathway is for licensed nurses who are returning to YSU to complete requirements for a baccalaureate degree. This program takes just four semesters to complete. Youngstown State’s MSN program has clinical options in adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and nurse education.

#50: Herzing University | Akron, OHHerzing University’s Akron campus offers a breadth of nursing options including LPN, ADN, BSN, and MSN programs. The LPN diploma can be completed in just 12 months of full-time study, while the ADN requires just 20 months to complete. Students in the ADN program have earned a solid 88% pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam over the past decade. Herzing offers two BSN pathways. The prelicensure BSN is a year-round program that can be completed in three years rather than the traditional four. The RN-to-BSN includes 45 hours of experiential learning and may be completed in less than a year. Herzing University’s MSN program offers specializations in family nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nursing leadership & administration. The MSN can be completed online in as little as 20 months.